NewsCovering Colorado

Actions

Red light camera warning period ending Wednesday night

Posted at 8:00 PM, May 07, 2019
and last updated 2019-05-08 00:32:28-04

COLORADO SPRINGS – Back on April 9th, red-light cameras went live at two major intersections. The first at East Platte Avenue and Chelton Road. The second at Briargate Boulevard and Lexington Drive.

Springs Police tell us the goal here is to decrease the number of traffic accidents. Remember, traffic accidents reached an all-time high last year with a record 48-people losing their lives.

The Colorado Springs police made it clear that there would be a 30-day warning period where drivers would receive a warning letter in the mail. That warning period ends on Wednesday night, May 8th. Instead of a warning letter, you’ll now get a 75-dollar citation in the mail. No points are assessed to your driver’s license, but police say ignoring the citation may lead to higher fines. The cameras will snap a picture of the car and the driver and you’ll have an opportunity to view the photo and the video online.

Preliminary numbers show that between April 9th to May 3rd, the Colorado Springs Police Department reviewed 565 violation videos and sent 452 written warnings. Officers are still in the process of reviewing additional violations that may have occurred during this time frame. At the end of each month, the CSPD will release the previous month’s violation numbers to provide a more comprehensive view of traffic activity at these locations.

“All of the intersections with red light cameras have very significant safety factor problems with accidents,” explained Lt. Cari Graves with the Colorado Springs Police Department. “We’re working to decrease the severity of those accidents at the very least.”

Citations will be issued for red-light runners at the following intersections:

• East Platte Avenue & Chelton Road Eastbound Approach

• Briargate Boulevard & Lexington Boulevard Westbound Approach

Intersections expected to go live this spring:

• Academy Boulevard & North Carefree Circle Northbound Approach

• Academy Boulevard & Dublin Boulevard Southbound Approach

Only drivers who ENTER the intersection AFTER the light has turned red will get a ticket. The cameras operate 24-hours-a-day. Signs posted along the street will alert drivers in advance that red light safety cameras are in use at the approaching intersection. For more information about the program, you canclick here.

Colorado Springs contracts with Verra Mobility as its red-light safety camera vendor. Verra Mobility is the leading provider of red light and speed camera enforcement programs across North America.